Excess medical marijuana alleged

ADRIAN — A Florida man is being prosecuted for 45 pounds of marijuana claimed to be for medical use that police reported seizing from a barn in Palmyra Township last fall.

“That’s what we’re being told,” said Michigan State Police Lt. Robert Sinclair, commander of the OMNI Team 3 narcotics unit. What is claimed to be medical marijuana was found in eight sealed plastic tubs officers found on Nov. 20 after receiving a tip.

The alleged owner of the marijuana, Frederick James McConnell, 56, of Lakeland, Fla., was arraigned Friday in Lenawee County District Court on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver 5 to 45 kilograms of marijuana, felony firearm possession and maintaining a drug house.

Defense attorney James Daly of Adrian said the case involves medical marijuana his client was authorized to grow as a caregiver to patients registered under Michigan law. He said he could not comment further until he has an opportunity to review police reports. An initial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 28. McConnell is free on personal recognizance.

Sinclair said McConnell has relatives in the area and was apparently relocating to Michigan. He said the marijuana found in Palmyra Township had been grown and harvested in Hillsdale County. About 30 pounds of processed marijuana was found in bags labeled by variety, apparently in preparation for sale to medical marijuana dispensaries, Sinclair said.

He is accused of growing more than was needed by his medical marijuana patients and looking to sell the surplus.

“He was having a hard time getting rid of it all,” Sinclair said.

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